the way in growth. However, growth in
Asia-Pacific has also slowed owing to
global and local economic uncertainties.
The recent decline in raw material prices
has contributed to downward pressure
on coating prices.
The Asia-Pacific Region remains the
largest consumer of coatings with an estimated 47 percent of the volume in 2016.
China accounts for over one-half of the
region’s consumption with growth moderating the last 2-3 years following the
rocket rise in prior years. India is now
about 15 percent of the regional volume
and continues to increase its share.
Europe is the second largest market
for coatings taking a projected 23 percent
of the global volume in 2016. Growth
remains low in most EU countries with
the decline in the Russian economy a
drag on consumption. The prospect of
waning growth in Turkey is a headwind
for the near future. North America was
an outlet for 17 percent of the global
coating volume in 2016 and has mature
growth prospects. The South and Central
America region represents 7 percent of
the global demand in 2016. Growth in
the region has slowed significantly with
the recession in Brazil the leading cause.
The information is based upon
Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney’s upcoming multiclient study, Global Paint &
Coatings, 2016-2021 which is available
through subscription. Further information can be obtained at www.kusumgar-nerlfi-growney.com.
Emulsion Polymers in
Paint & Coatings to Grow
Annually Through 2020
World demand for emulsion polymers in
paint and coatings (excluding paper coat-
ings) is forecast to expand a healthy 5. 4
percent per year to 5.0 million metric tons
in 2020, the fastest growth of any major
emulsion market. A continuing shift to-
ward the use of waterborne latex paints
– a trend that is occurring in virtually all
parts of the world – is projected to fuel
market gains. Advances are expected to
be most pronounced in developing coun-
tries, as these markets have the most po-
tential for replacement of solvent-based
coatings as well as for more rapid growth
in coatings production overall. Healthy
growth in building construction activ-
ity in North America, combined with a
turnaround in Western Europe, will also
buoy gains. These and other trends are
presented in Global Emulsion Polymers
Market, 7th Edition, a new study from
The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based
industry research firm.
The reformulation of coatings from
solvent-based to water-based systems is
the primary strategy that paint suppliers
employ to meet VOC requirements. The
shift in the coatings product mix toward
waterborne products has been most preva-
lent in North America and Western Europe,
where emission limits are most stringent.
However, waterborne technology is rapidly
gaining favor throughout the world due to
emissions legislation as well as performance
advantages (e.g., durability, low odor, ease
of application and cleanup).
In 2015, water-based paints accounted
for just over half of total world paint
and coatings output, with solvent-based
paints, powder coatings, and radia-
tion curables comprising the remainder.
Waterborne types predominate in the ar-
chitectural paint markets of most regions,
with lower rates of use among developing
countries (e.g., India) that still rely heav-
ily on lower quality products. Output of
water-based products in the Asia/Pacific
region is also limited by the predomi-
nance of industrial over architectural
paints in the large Japanese and South
Korean coatings industries.
Global Emulsion Polymers Market, 7th
Edition (published 11/2016, 300 pages) is
available for $6300 from The Freedonia
Group. For further details or to arrange
an interview with the analyst, please con-
tact Corinne Gangloff by phone 440-684-
9600 or email pr@freedoniagroup.com.
Information may also be obtained through
www.freedoniagroup.com. CW
“A continuing shift toward the use of
waterborne latex paints – a trend that is
occurring in virtually all parts of the world –
is expected to fuel market gains.”
